11 March 2024 , 00:01
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Nearly 50,000 children were taken to hospital with lung problems in 12 months, sparking warnings of a dirty air health emergency.
Greater Manchester’s child admissions for asthma are the worst in the country after doubling in the last two years. Figures from the Office for Health Improvement Disparities show it has the highest proportion under 19s hospitalised with 3,810 admitted from the city area in 2022/23.
Telford and Wrekin, Shrops, were rated next with 530 hospital admissions, followed by Solihull, Birmingham, with 1,645, Wolverhampton 1,670 and Preston with 2,555.
Campaign group Mums for Lungs says some parts of Manchester are 1.3 times the current UK legal limit and more than five times over the recommended World Health Organisation air pollution limit.
The high levels of air pollution reflect a 400,000 leap in the number of cars on Greater Manchester’s roads. Between 2012 and 2022, the number of cars on the roads of Greater Manchester increased by 41% from 1.06 million to 1.46 million.
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Mum’s for Lungs said road transport is the largest contributor to illegal levels of air pollution. It is calling on mayors and local councils to take action to reach the WHO target, and is also pushing for action on wood burning.
Liz Godfrey, who runs the Manchester Mums for Lungs group, said: “It is devastating to see more children than ever admitted to hospital with respiratory illnesses. We urge Andy Burnham and the Government to sort out Manchester’s air pollution.”
NHS GP Dr Sinead Millwood said: “Air affects [childrens’] brains, reducing their ability to learn. It stunts their lung growth and causes asthma and lung infections.”